20 | JANUARY 18 • 2024 

future atrocities.
The enlightening and often 
emotional experience of touring 
the museum is capped in the 
final gallery, one of the muse-
um’s several new “reflection” 
spaces. Everyone is encouraged 
to write down thoughts of 
their museum experience on 
large blank cards. Posted to an 
expansive blank wall, the cards 
become a tapestry of messag-
es in support of compassion, 
kindness and civic engagement. 
Exposure to Holocaust educa-
tion, studies show, is likely to 
motivate people to challenge 
expressions of hate, prejudice 
and other damaging human 
behavior. 
Previous visitors can be 
assured that the museum 
retains many familiar features. 
They include the Eternal 
Flame and Memorial Wall, the 
Henrietta and Alvin Weisberg 
Gallery with a Holocaust-era 

box car and the Viola and 
Garry Kappy Anne Frank Tree 
Exhibit and Garden. 
“Our museum is different 
in that more than 80 percent 
of our visitors come through 
a guided tour, instead of indi-
vidually,
” Mayerfeld said. “We 
wanted an exhibit that would 
work with both groups.
” When 
available, visitors of all ages 
can take a daily 1 p.m. tour led 
by a docent, with another 30 
minutes at the end to hear one 
of the trained Next Generation 
volunteer speakers. They are the 
children and grandchildren of 
survivors.
Before my group tour, I was 
given a state-of-the art audio 
device. I thought it was a great 
upgrade. The units, with supe-
rior sound quality and a range 
of about 300 feet indoors, give 
tour-goers a chance to linger 
and explore galleries more at 
their own pace. Wearers are still 

able to hear their tour guide 
speaking in a nearby room. 
And now, teachers can more 
easily call their students back 
together.

School groups began tour-
ing the renewed museum in 

December. 
“My biggest moments so far,
” 
Mulder said, “are hearing stu-
dents talk about how the exhibit 
is about people as much as it 
is about this larger historical 
event.
” 

OUR COMMUNITY
COVER STORY

continued from page 18

Personal 
remembrances 
on panels and the 
floor give context 
to historic events.

OWEN KAUFMAN

Midland High School students look at artifacts that underscore the 
personal cost of the Holocaust.

ZEKELMAN HOLOCAUST CENTER